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How to achieve quality of the works?

Hans Erhorn

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics

QUALICHeCK Lyon workshop 17 January 2017

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The trend towards Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) implies the correct execution of classical building works, in line with the NZEB principles of good workmanship, and the use of advanced technologies requiring specific skills of the workforce

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Approx 10 % of the total cost of buildings are due to construction errors.

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What is „Quality of Works“

QUALICHeCK Reference Document ‘TERMS AND DEFINITIONS’

“Quality of the works” refers

to the potential gap

between the works realized

and the works expected to meet

stated or implied needs.

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Documented Examples of existing situationsregarding Quality of the Works

Reasons for poor quality:1. Poor specifications at level of projects, standards, regulations:

a. Materials to be used (e.g. material characteristics of insulation, correct construction details (joints), …)

b. Performances to be achieved (e.g. air- and watertightness, wind resistance for PV panels, acoustical performances of ventilation systems, …)

c. With respect to the execution principle (e.g. under which conditions may roofing be installed

2. Lack of competencea. Designer level (see also QUALICHeCK work package “Reliable and

easily accessible input data”)b. Execution levelc. Language barriers

3. Critical economic conditionsa. Critical financial conditionsb. Critical timing conditions

4. Lack of controla. By parties involved in the projectb. By third parties (government, independent control organisations,

…)

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28 documented Examples of existing situationsregarding Quality of the Works

Study Country Reported by Covered areas Date of

study

Transferability Results/consequences

Field test on combined

heat pump and solar

thermal systems

Austria OEGNB Heat pumps, solar thermal

systems

2010-2013 National,

international

Revised training material

for installers

Study on ventilation

systems in classrooms

Austria OEGNB Mechanical ventilation

systems in classrooms

2008 National,

international

Revised training material

for ventilation installers

Impact of storm on PV

systems

Belgium BBRI Installation of PV systems 2010-2013 National,

international

Development of design and

installation specifications

Cypriot analysis of the

National Status Quo

within BUILD UP Skills

Cyprus The Cyprus

Institute

Insufficient knowledge/

training, necessary specialists

not part of construction team

2012 National,

international

Roadmap for policies and

actions for construction

sector employees

Burgholzhof study Germany Fraunhofer

IBP

Insulation material, quality of

windows, thermal bridges,

window seams, roller shutters

2002 National,

international

General: U-value definitions

of glazings have been

revised; practical recom-

mendations

Estonian analysis of the

National Status Quo

within Build Up Skills

Estonia Tallinn

University of

Technology

Insufficient knowledge of new

technologies/construction

workers not adequately

trained

2012 National The number of skilled work-

force needs to be increased

Estonian housing stock

technical condition –

apartment buildings

(1990-2010)

Estonia Tallinn

University of

Technology

Insulation material, damages

on construction site, wet

insulation, waterproof layers,

built-in moisture, moisture

and air barriers, joints

2010-2012 National,

countries with

similar constru-

ctions &

climate, partly

international

Guidelines for designers and

builders

Quality of ventilation

systems in residential

buildings: status and

perspectives in Estonia

Estonia Tallinn

University of

Technology

Ventilation systems: Joints

not airtight, no accessibility

for cleaning/ maintenance,

wrong settings, filters not

included

2013 National, partly

international

Guidelines for HVAC

designers and builders

EU project SAVE DUCT EU (focus

on BE, F, S)

BBRI Ductwork, airtightness 1997-1998 International Recommendations to use

circular ducts and factory-

fitted sealing gaskets

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500 residential units in low energy level

Fraunhofer IBP contracted by city of Stuttgart to check EP declarations, design of joints, realisation on site

Quality check for all three parts was important:

EP declarations had to be corrected (due to mistakes), up to 4 times

Many of the details had to be improved/clarified by adding material descriptions, etc.

Windows U-values and g-values did not meet specifications (at that time two types of U-values: measured acc. DIN and officially published with „safety“ allowances, g-values deemed less important)

Thermal separation of balcony plates not accurate, filled partly with mortar or concrete (thermal bridges)

Window seams filled with polyurethane foam (not durable elastic)

Insulation material with inferior thermal conductivity

Top mounted roller shutters create thermal bridges at the location where the shutters are on top of the wall

Additional insulation on the inner side of cellar walls problematic (pipes, fixtures)

Example: Burgholzhof: Surveillance of Design and Construction Work

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18 Best Practice Examples to solve the criticalSituations

Solution Country Reported by Covered areas Date of

solution

Type of solution Legal/ other Transfera-

bility

Training and

certification

schemes for

installers at AIT

Austria OEGNB Installation of heat

pumps, PV, solar thermal

and ventilation systems

Since 2001 Training and certifica-

tion of installers

Voluntary,

recommended by

klimaaktiv

Yes

Guidelines, check-

lists and commissio-

ning protocols by

professional

associations

Austria OEGNB Installation of heat

pumps, PV, solar thermal

and ventilation systems

Since ca.

2005

Guideline, checklist,

Comm. protocol

Voluntary Yes

Voluntary building

certification

including measure-

ments

Austria OEGNB Building envelope quality Pilot phase

in 2001, in

place since

2003

Quality assessment by

third party

Voluntary Yes

IEE project WE-

Qualify

Cyprus The Cyprus

Institute

Knowledge/training,

specialisation, material,

installation, damages

during construction, wet

material, roller shutters

2013 + 36

months

Education of workers

(training material +

training)

Recommen-

dative/ volun-

tary

In general yes

Scheme of Vocatio-

nal Qualifications: I

have the qualifi-

cations. I certify!

Cyprus The Cyprus

Institute

Knowledge/training,

specialisation

2013,

ongoing

Education and certi-

fication of workers

Recommen-

dative/ volun-

tary

In general yes

RAL Window and

Front Door Installa-

tion Guideline

Germany Fraunhofer

IBP

Window installation,

airtightness, water tight-

ness, thermal bridges at

window/wall connection

Since 1998,

regular

updates

Guideline and

education of workers

Accepted rules

of technology

Yes

RAL Certification of

Window Installation

Germany Fraunhofer

IBP

Window installation, air-

tightness, water tight-

ness, thermal bridges at

window/wall connection

Since 1998 Certification of

manufacturer

including installation

Voluntary Yes

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Accredited certification body: AIT – Austrian Institute of

Technology

Comprehensive training is complemented by option to obtain certification

Certificate is voluntary, but recommended in sustainable building guidelines of klimaaktiv programme

Certificate is visible sign of strong commitment to quality, competitive advantages

Certificate is valid for 3 years, then re-certification necessary

Certified heat pump installer, solar heating installer and planner, solar heating practitioner, photovoltaic installer and planner

> 2500 participants have successfully completed the training courses (by end of 2014)

Training modules: 5 – 8 days plus 1 day for examination

Costs: 1,400 – 1,450 € plus 120 – 200 € for examination

Example: Training and Certification Schemes for Installers at AIT (Austria)

Copyright http://www.ait.ac.at

System Training since Accreditation since

Heat pumps 2001 2005

Solar thermal 2004 2009

PV 2006 2009

Ventilation 2007 Not yet

Success of the Austrian programme?

Trainings: Until April 2015, some 2,500 participants have successfully

completed the training courses.

Certifications: Until April 2015, AIT has certified or re-certified in

total more than 540 installers: 235 installers for heat pumps systems,

205 installers for solar thermal systems, 102 installers for PV and 2

installers for ventilation systems.

Their motivation / expectation:

to gain direct access to the latest trends and technological innovations;

to have a clear competitive edge in their industry.

Voluntary scheme:

In practice: not much demand for certified installers.

It is recommended in the sustainable building guidelines of the klimaaktiv

programme to contract certified installers. The certification is however

currently no prerequisite for support programmes.

It should be considered to introduce mandatory requirements

regarding qualification, at least in support programmes

IEE/13/610/SIO2.675574 01/03/2014-28/02/2014 28/04/2014

!

!

Characteristics of programme

IEE/13/610/SIO2.675574 01/03/2014-28/02/2014 28/04/2014

Reasons why companies do not

invest in vocational training

IEE/13/610/SIO2.675574 01/03/2014-28/02/2014 28/04/2014

Source: Statistik Austria, Betriebliche Weiterbildung 2013. Grafik: ibw. Presentedon 14.04.2016 by R. Setznagel, 17&4

Results and conclusions (1)

It seems that the market does not strongly demand for better

quality of the works. However, this does not mean that there is no

need for it.

Experience shows that there is definitely a need for better quality

of the works in terms of achieving better indoor air quality, energy

performance and reduce loadings for the environment.

Initiatives such as CrossCraft http://buildupskills-crosscraft.at try

to come in with tailor-made training offers responding to time and

cost pressure and communication problems due to lacking language

skills.

Blower door tests carried out in the presence of the workers ae

considered most effective, because “showing them where the

leakage is will be more effective than any lecture”.

IEE/13/610/SIO2.675574 01/03/2014-28/02/2014 28/04/2014

Success of trainings:

3-hours on-site training on airtightness: how to avoid frequently made

mistakes

Other trainings: still difficult to motivate companies to participate

How to increase the motivation for qualification resulting in better

quality of the works:

Independent Control System according to Art. 18 EPBD should address the

quality of the building envelope: compare EPC input data with the actual

situation on-site

Independent Control System according to Art. 18 EPBD should address the

efficiency and performance of building services systems by means of

requiring acceptance reports and checking them

IEE/13/610/SIO2.675574 01/03/2014-28/02/2014 28/04/2014

Results and conclusions (2)

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Final result: Source Book on Guidelines for better enforcement of Quality of the Works

Extract of content:3. Analysis of reasons for good/poor quality of works4. Overall philosophy regarding improved boundary

conditions for a better quality of the work5. Documented set of best practices Part 1: Procedures

to obtain and prove good quality of the works6. Documented set of best practices Part 2: Robust legal

procedures for handling non-compliance7. Documented set of best practices Part 3: Operational

framework for better compliance and effective penalties related to quality of the works

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Extract from the Source Book on Guidelines for better enforcement of Quality of the Works

5. Documented set of best practices Part 1: Procedures to obtain and prove good quality of the works5.1 Clear descriptions and work specifications5.2 Clear description of the procedures to show evidence of compliance5.3 Tracing procedures5.4 Handling of innovative solutions5.5 Usability of the specifications in practice5.6 Consider simpler on-site compliance procedures for meeting compliance criteria

at system level5.7 Consider simpler on-site compliance procedures for companies meeting

compliance crieria at company level5.8 Rewarding good practice 5.9 Specific issues for existing buildings5.10 Quality management approaches5.11 Market surveillance and integrating lessons learned5.12 Interrelation with European and national legislation and standards

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Clear Descriptions and Work Specifications: Interesting Examples

Swedish AMA General material and workmanship specification system

German guideline on accepted rules of technology for installing windows and front door by industry initiative Gütegemeinschaft Fenster und Haustüren e.V.

German STLB-Bau specification system (Standardleistungsbuch für das Bauwesen)

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Taillored approach in the Source Book on Guidelines for better enforcement of Quality of the Works

Example: Market uptake of new energy efficient products without specific challenges for the building workers

Exemplary examples: Stepwise approach for combining capacity building with enforcement schemes

Example: Quality frameworks for cavity insulation of existingwalls in the UK and the Belgian Flemish Region

To know more…

• QUALICHeCK reports on quality of the works:

• “Towards improved quality of the work –Documented examples of existing situations regarding quality of the works”• 18 Best Practice Examples how to achieve better quality

of the works

• “Source book on Guidelines for better enforce-ment of quality of the works“• Coming soon

•Available at http://qualicheck-platform.eu

The sole responsibility for the content of this presentation lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the

European Union. Neither the EASME nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the

information contained therein.